Upper Body Exercise Device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a push-up exercise device and a dip exercise device for effectively and efficiently focusing on strengthening an individual&#39;s stabilizer muscles. The push-up exercise device may include a handle support connected to a top plate, which is in turn connected to a bottom plate. A hemisphere is removably connected to the bottom plate, and the top plate and the bottom plate may rotate about one another. The push-up exercise device may include a handle support connected to a plate which is connected to a ball. The dip exercise device may be two handle supports connected to a plate connected to multiple legs. The handle supports may rotate and pivot relative to the plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/168,254 as filed Apr. 10, 2009.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND ON THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to exercise devices, and more particularly to exercise devices for performing push-ups and dips more effectively and efficiently while focusing on strengthening an individual's stabilizer muscles.

2. Description of the Related Art

Push-ups are a well known and effective exercise for training an individual's upper body strength. Push-up exercises are employed by the military and competitive sports teams around the world to improve overall fitness. Conventional push-ups, wherein an individual's hands are placed directly on a non-movable hard surface such as a floor, have limitations. Conventional push-ups place stress on wrists, elbows, and shoulders, and prevent natural rotation of muscles and joints.

Various devices have been identified as improving conventional push-ups, such as, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,468,025 to Hauser et al., in which an individual grasps a handle in each hand. The handles are attached to a rotating base that allows the individual to rotate his arms while performing push-ups in order to train and strengthen additional muscles.

However, such push up devices work only in training upper body muscles in two dimensions. What is desired is a means of improving upper body exercises such that an individual's upper body muscles are trained in additional dimensions in a more effective and efficient manner while also strengthening the individual's stabilizer muscles.

SUMMARY

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a push-up exercise device, the device being comprised of a first handle support, a top plate, a bottom plate, and a hemisphere. The first handle support is comprised of two or more columns each having a first column end and a second column end, such that the two or more columns are connected to each other at each first column end via a first hand bar.

The top plate has an upper side and a bottom side, such that the upper side is connected to the second column end of each of the two or more columns. The bottom plate is connected to the bottom side of the top plate. The hemisphere is removably connected to the bottom plate and extends in a direction substantially away from the top plate.

Other various exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a push-up exercise device, the device being comprised of a first handle support, a plate, and a ball. The first handle support is comprised of two or more columns each having a first column end and a second column end, such that the two or more columns are connected to each other at each first column end via a first hand bar. The plate has an upper side and a bottom side, the upper side being connected to the second column end of each of the two or more columns. The ball is removably connected to the bottom side and extends in a direction substantially away from the plate.

Further various exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes a dip exercise device, the device being comprised of a first handle support, a second handle support, a plate, and at least two legs. The first handle support is comprised of two or more columns each having a first column end and a second column end, such that the two or more columns are connected to each other at each first column end via a first hand bar. The second handle support is comprised of two or more columns each having a first column end and a second column end, such that the two or more columns are connected to each other at each first column end via a second hand bar. The plate has an upper side and a bottom side, such that the upper side is connected to the second column end of each of the two or more columns. The at least two legs are connected to the bottom side and extend in a direction substantially away from the top plate. The first handle support and the second handle support may independently pivot relative to the top side of the plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are described in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein a first handle support and a second handle support may be removably connected to a top plate.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein a ball is connected to a plate.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein a ball is connected to a plate.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a top view of a plate having positions for a first handle support and a second handle support according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a top view of a plate having a first handle support and a second handle support removed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a side view of a dip exercise device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS

In reference to the drawings, similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout all the drawings. The following is a list of the reference characters and associated elements:

10 Push-up exercise device

20 First handle support

21 Second handle support

22 Column

26 First column end

27 Second column end

29 First hand bar

30 Nate

32 Nate upper side

34 Nate bottom side

40 Top plate

42 Upper side

44 Bottom side

50 Bottom plate

60 Hemisphere

65 Ball

70 Washer plate

80 Dip exercise device

90 Leg

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth exemplary embodiments of the present invention in reference to the associated drawings. The drawings are exemplary in nature, and are not meant to illustrate every potential variation of the claimed invention.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a top view of a push-up exercise device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The push-up exercise device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a single device meant for use by a single hand and arm of an individual. It is preferred that an individual use two such push-up exercise devices, one for each hand and arm, of the individual.

The push-up exercise device 10 is comprised of a first handle support 20, a top plate 40, a bottom plate 50, and a hemisphere 60.

The first handle support 20 is preferably comprised of two or more columns 22, wherein each of the two or more columns have a first column end 26 and a second column end 27. The two or more columns are connected to each other at the first column end via a first hand bar 29. The first handle support may be comprised of plastic, metal, alloy, ceramic, or a combination thereof.

The top plate 40 has an upper side 42 and a bottom side 44. The second column ends of each of the two or more columns are connected to the upper side of the top plate. The top plate may be comprised of plastic, metal, alloy, ceramic, or a combination thereof.

Although the top plate is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 as being substantially circular in shape, the top plate may be substantially rectangular or other geometric shape.

The bottom plate 50 is connected to the bottom side of the top plate. The bottom plate may be comprised of plastic, metal, alloy, ceramic, or a combination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the top plate may swivel relative to the bottom plate. Such swiveling may be assisted by positioning ball bearings or similar means between the top plate and the bottom plate.

The hemisphere 60 is connected to the bottom plate and extends in a direction substantially away from the top plate.

The hemisphere may be comprised of plastic, rubber, metal, alloy, ceramics, or a combination thereof. The hemisphere may be substantially solid. Preferably, the hemisphere is substantially filled with air, and the amount of air in the hemisphere may be altered as desired by an individual.

It is preferred that the hemisphere is removable from the bottom plate. In the exemplary embodiments in which the hemisphere is removable from the bottom plate, the hemisphere may be connected to the bottom plate via a hook and fastener system, one or more screws, one or more latches, or similar means.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the push-up exercise device shows only a first handle support. However, in other exemplary embodiments, there may also be a second handle support 21 connected to the top plate comprised of two or more columns each having a first column end and a second column end, the two or more columns being connected to each other at each first column end via a second hand bar.

In the exemplary embodiments wherein there is a first handle support and a second handle support, it is preferred that the top plate be substantially rectangular or oblong in shape. See, for example, FIG. 3.

Where the present invention includes a first handle support and a second handle support, each of the first handle support and the second handle support may be removably connected to the top plate. In other exemplary embodiments, the first handle support and the second handle support may both independently swivel, pivot, or both, relative to the top plate.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which a push-up exercise device is comprised of a plate 30 having a plate upper side and a plate bottom side. A ball 65 is removably connected to the plate bottom side and extends in a direction substantially away from the plate.

The ball may be retained to the plate bottom side by a washer plate 70. There may be a ring of ball bearings positioned between the plate bottom side and the ball. The ball may be comprised of plastic, rubber, metal, alloy, ceramic, or a combination thereof. See, for example, FIG. 5.

The push-up exercise device may further be comprised of a first handle support comprised of two or more columns each having a first column end and a second column end, the two or more columns being connected to each other at each first column end via a first hand bar. The second column end of each of the two or more columns may be connected to the plate upper side.

In another exemplary embodiment, there is a second handle support connected to the plate comprised of two or more columns each having a first column end and a second column end, the two or more columns being connected to each other at each first column end via a second hand bar.

Each of the first handle support and the second handle support may be removably connected to the plate. In other exemplary embodiments, the first handle support and the second handle support may both independently swivel, pivot, or both, relative to the plate.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 8 in which a dip exercise device 80 is comprised of a first handle support, a second handle support, a plate, and at least two legs 90.

The first handle support is comprised of two or more columns each having a first column end and a second column end, and the two or more columns are connected to each other at each first column end via a first hand bar. The second handle support is comprised of two or more columns each having a first column end and a second column end, and the two or more columns are connected to each other at each first column end via a second hand bar. The plate has an upper side and a bottom side, such that the upper side is connected to the second column end of each of the two or more columns. The at least two legs are connected to the bottom side and extend in a direction substantially away from the plate.

It is preferred that the first handle support and the second handle support may independently pivot relative to the top side of the plate.

Bearings may be positioned between the top side of the plate and each of the first handle support and the second handle support. Further, each of the first handle support and the second handle support may be connected to the top side of the plate via a hook and fastener system.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A push-up exercise device, the device being comprised of: a first handle support comprised of two or more columns each having a first column end and a second column end, the two or more columns being connected to each other at each first column end via a first hand bar; a top plate having an upper side and a bottom side, the upper side being connected to the second column end of each of the two or more columns, a bottom plate connected to the bottom side of the top plate; and a hemisphere removably connected to the bottom plate and extending in a direction substantially away from the top plate.
 2. The push-up exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the top plate swivels relative to the bottom plate.
 3. The push-up exercise device according to claim 2, wherein ball bearings are between a portion of the top plate and the bottom plate.
 4. The push-up exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the hemisphere is connected to the bottom plate via a hook and fastener system, one or more screws, one or more latches, or a combination thereof.
 5. The push-up exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the hemisphere is hollow and comprised of rubber.
 6. The push-up exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising a second handle support connected to the top plate comprised of two or more columns each having a first column end and a second column end, the two or more columns being connected to each other at each first column end via a second hand bar.
 7. The push-up exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the top plate is substantially rectangular or substantially circular in shape.
 8. A push-up exercise device, the device being comprised of: a first handle support comprised of two or more columns each having a first column end and a second column end, the two or more columns being connected to each other at each first column end via a first hand bar; a plate having an upper side and a bottom side, the upper side being connected to the second column end of each of the two or more columns; and a ball removably connected to the bottom side and extending in a direction substantially away from the plate.
 9. The push-up exercise device according to claim 8, further comprising a washer plate for substantially retaining the ball to the bottom side of the plate.
 10. The push-up exercise device according to claim 8, further comprising a second handle support connected to the plate comprised of two or more columns each having a first column end and a second column end, the two or more columns being connected to each other at each first column end via a second hand bar.
 11. The push-up device according to claim 10, wherein the first handle support and the second handle support are removably connected to the plate.
 12. The push-up device according to claim 10, wherein the second handle support may swivel relative to the top side of the plate.
 13. The push-up device according to claim 8, wherein a ring of ball bearings are positioned between the bottom side of the plate and the ball.
 14. The push-up device according to claim 8, wherein the first handle support may swivel relative to the top side of the plate.
 15. A dip exercise device, the device being comprised of: a first handle support comprised of two or more columns each having a first column end and a second column end, the two or more columns being connected to each other at each first column end via a first hand bar; a second handle support comprised of two or more columns each having a first column end and a second column end, the two or more columns being connected to each other at each first column end via a second hand bar; a plate having an upper side and a bottom side, the upper side being connected to the second column end of each of the two or more columns; and at least two legs connected to the bottom side and extending in a direction substantially away from the plate, wherein the first handle support and the second handle support may independently pivot relative to the top side of the plate.
 16. The dip exercise device according to claim 15, wherein bearings are positioned between the top side of the plate and each of the first handle support and the second handle support.
 17. The dip exercise device according to claim 15, wherein the first handle support and the second handle support are connected to the top side of the plate via a hook and fastener system. 